Product Description
This is the second part of Roald Dahl's remarkable life story, following on from "Boy", that tells of his time working in Africa and his wartime exploits. This edition has a great new cover with illustrations by Quentin Blake, and some new facts about Roald Dahl and his world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

Dahl's life was more amazing than his fiction
Dahl is the author of some of the most imaginative works of fiction ever created and this tends to overshadow his personal accomplishments, which are considerable. This book is an autobiography of his early adulthood, starting from the time he traveled to east Africa to work for the Shell Company through the first years of World War II.
Dahl was one of the people that left the British Isles to work in and administer a colony in the British Empire. His descriptions of that group of people are amusing and accurate, for they were simultaneously a tough group of people although a bit daffy. Dahl's descriptions of the Major and his wife making several rounds on the deck in the nude every morning followed by the strict rule of everyone formally dressing for dinner were very amusing.
Dahl volunteered for the Royal Air Force (R. A. F.), received his initial training in Kenya and flew fighter planes. He crash-landed in North Africa and after his recovery; Dahl was transferred to Greece as the Germans were moving in. It was a hopeless battle, at one time six fighter planes was all the R. A. F. could put in the air against hundreds of German planes. This installment of Dahl's amazing life ends with his flying a plane in the British campaign to take Syria from the forces of Vichy France.
Dahl cheated death many times in this book; he was a true war hero of the first magnitude. Some of that was skill, but as he repeatedly admits, luck also had a great deal to do with it. In many ways, his life story is more amazing than his fiction, this is a great book for readers of all ages.

Utterly compelling
I'm trying to imagine the kind of person who would not enjoy this book, and quite frankly I'm failing. If you can read this review, you will enjoy the book.

It tells the story of Roald Dahl from his journey out to Dar-es-Salaam at the age of 18, to start working for Shell, to his being invalided home as a fighter pilot from the Middle East in 1941. Throughout he makes it sound as if it's all a bit of fun, but in reality the odds against his surviving the events in the book must have been 50 to 1.

It's all told in a lovely deadpan voice that clearly shows up the utter absurdity what he was going through, from his servant killing a local German with a 17th century antique sword to being one of 15 fighter pilots in all of Greece to take on 1000 Luftwaffe planes. It's to his everlasting credit that he manages to do this in such a straightforward way. Of course, events speak for themselves, but it requires a skillful author to let them do so, and Dahl is more than skillful. This is a work of genius.

"You're too tall," the flight instructor said. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I must learn to fly a Hurricane and then I must take it to Greece and rejoin the squadron.
When I got this news I was in Ismailia, a large RAF aerodrome on the Suez Canal. A Flight-Lieutenant said, 'You can have a couple of days to learn how to fly it, then you take it to Greece.'
'Fly that to Greece?' I said.
'Of course.'
'Where do I stop to refuel?'
'You don't.' he said. 'You go non-stop.'
'How long will that take?'
'About four and a half hours,' he said.
Even I knew that a Hurricane had fuel for only one and a half hours' flying, and I pointed that out to the Flight-Lieutenant. 'Don't worry about that,' he said. 'We're fitting extra fuel tanks under the wings.'
'Do they work?'
'Sometimes they work,' he said smirking. 'You press a little button and if you're lucky a pump pumps petrol from the wing-tanks into the main tank.'
'What happens if the pump doesn't work?'
'You bale out into the Med and swim,' he said.
'No,' I said. 'Be serious. Who picks me up?'
Nobody.' he said. 'It's a chance you have to take.'"
- Roald Dahl (GOING SOLO p. 119)

In this marvelous autobiographical sequel to BOY: TALES OF CHILDHOOD, Roald Dahl entertains and delights by recalling his experiences just prior to and during WW2 writing of the many adventures he had: traveling by ship from England to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika (aboard the SS Mantola) and observing the bizarre habits of his fellow-British-passengers while on his way to work for the Shell Oil Company there, avoiding certain death from the venom of the Green Mamba, joining the Royal Air Force at the start of the war, learning to fly at an RAF airbase in Nairobi, Kenya, and crashing a Gladiator bi-plane in the Western Desert of Egypt, finally winning his wings and becoming a fighter pilot with the RAF in Africa and Greece, and then surviving dog-fights in the skies above Greece against German ME 109s. While many of Dahl's adventures were harrowing, others were very humorous.

I won't spoil the fun for anyone in this brief review by writing too much. Pick up a copy of this wonderful little book and enjoy! You'll just have to take my word for it that you won't be bored or disappointed. Several maps and quite a few photos are included.

As another reviewer wrote, it's a shame Mr. Dahl didn't write another autobiographical sketch about his life as a writer of children's books before he died in 1990. That, I'm sure, would have been an absolute pleasure to read.

Terriffic story-telling from a charming guy
Another writer once told me that one of the most important elements to be found in a memoir is a "likeable" narrator. Roald Dahl is perhaps one of the MOST likeable of narrators. Modest to a fault and blessed with a very sly and subtle sense of humor, the story Dahl tells in GOING SOLO, his sequel to BOY, is perhaps one of the most readable memoirs of modern times. His story of the quick and almost informal training he received at a flying school in Africa shortly after Great Britain entered WWII, is hair-raising and nearly impossible to believe, except you do believe, because you trust this man. At six foot six inches tall, Dahl was physically quite unsuited to be a fighter pilot, noting that when seated in the various planes he flew, his knees were nearly under his chin and he had to hunch over to fit beneath the plane's canopy. But fly he did, even after surviving one horrific crash in the desert early on in his career as an RAF pilot. He sustained a very bad concussion (which was to come back to haunt him and finally "invalid" him out of service nearly two years later) and had his face bashed in. As he explained to his mother in a letter: "My nose was bashed in ... and the ear nose and throat man pulled my nose out of the back of my head and shaped it and now it looks just as before except that it's a little bent about ..." Dahl went on to fly many combat missions in North Africa and Greece, usually against vastly superior odds, but somehow he managed to survive until the middle of 1941, when the migraine headaches caused by the aforementioned crash made him unfit for further flying. Dahl's nearly laconic and completely unself-conscious manner of writing about the things he did - absolutely heroic things - made me think of Sam Hynes's WWII memoir of his missions in the Pacific theater. Both writers downplay the importance of their roles. They never speak of heroics or derring-do, only about the importance of their comrades, doing the jobs they were trained to do and trying their best to simply stay alive. This was an enormously satisfying, moving and often hilarious tale. After reading these two slim volumes of memoirs by Dahl, I do wish he had written another. I have ordered his slim collection of stories about WWII already. What a wonderful writer - and gentleman - Roald Dahl was. - Tim Bazzett, author of SOLDIER BOY and LOVE, WAR & POLIO

Going Solo
Excellent life story, adventure.Bought because of its aviation aspect and personal Greek attraction with the Battle of Athens during the last war. Having served on 84 Sqn RAF in Cyprus it was really interesting to review first hand flying activities during these times of conflict.A really nice short story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Took Forever
I struggled to stay with this book.Down through stories, I checked the story titles page to see how far I had progressed toward the last.I felt like I was stuck in a Twilight Zone episode inside the head of the main dysfunctional character.Most folks would hate to be stuck inside "Someone Like Me" as well.I would have given it fewer stars but Roald Dahl is a gifted storyteller and I do respect his work.My kids enjoyed his children's books and his early autobio book, Boy.I understand why some people don't like Roald Dahl, but I can relate to his warped imagination and value his contribution to the book world.I am glad I read it.
Added later:The last story in the book stays with me weeks later.It was the story about the dog races.I learned more than I really wanted to know about how owners in those times and places abused their dogs to make them run faster..or slower to fix a race.Dahl is a great story teller and I see now that this particular story really made an impression on me.
On another note:I saw the 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' animated movie recently.The original story was written by this brilliant man, Roald Dahl.Loved THAT movie, still lukewarm on most of THIS book.

A Bit Disturbing, Always Delightful Dahl
Since I was a ten year old book worm falling in love with Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, the BFG, Charlie... I have had but the greatest respect for a storyteller capable of such utterly captivating, magical, darkly delicious stories.As an adult, many years after the passing of a legendary author, it is a treasure to find a collection I didn't get my hands on when I was younger.May the strange, sometimes disturbing and very odd works of this author never get lost in the shuffle.I was fortunate enough to come upon a 1954 hardback version which is what my rating is based on.Overall majestic, captivating, this collection of schort stories is a treat to read.Highly recommended for any fans of Roald's other works.

A breakdown of the stories and applicable comments and summaries (without giving away any plot):
1)TASTE- 4/5. A famous gourmet and wine expert is a guest for dinner at the home of an eager man and his family.A satisfying twist ending sets the stage for the type of stories that are characteristic of Roald Dahl's short stories.
2)LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER- 5/5. A husband comes home from work and delivers some unpleasant news to his wife.Events unravel that include a dead body, whiskey, an investigation, and a hot home cooked meal.This is right up Alfred Hitchcock's alley (and turns out, it is!)
3)MAN FROM THE SOUTH- 5/5.An old man and a young boy place a hefty wager on a silly bet. This one had me gasping in suspense.
4)THE SOLDIER- 4/5.A definite Twilight Zone feel.A soldier dealing with some post-traumatic issues.Leaves the reader wondering what was real and what was not.
5)MY LADY LOVE, MY DOVE- 4/5. A little more freaky than some o the others, a pushover husband is convinced to wire a tap to their guest bedroom.A game of cards and an interesting ending leaves the reader wondering.
6)DIP IN THE POOL- 5/5.Genuinely funny in a twisted way, a man bets more than he bargained for when his bet isn't as sure as he thought it was.
7)GALLOPING FOXLEY- 2/5.Odd and disturbing.A man on a subway car recollects memories of physical abuse as a boy at boarding school.A satisfying ending, but too graphic and disturbing for my tastes.
8)SKIN- 5/5. A tattoo from a drunken night in younger years turns out to be nearly priceless when the man is in his older years and is offered a tempting proposition.My favorite ending of all the stories in this collection.
9)POISON- 3/5.A man fears there is a poisonous creature in his bed.Certainly not Dahl's best work.Entertaining, but lacking substance.
10)THE WISH- 3/5. A scab, a young boy's make believe game, a birthday, a wish, and Mom.Fascinating how Dahl can begin and end with scenes so seemingly unrelated to the middle and yet make it flow.Although it doesn't make sense in the conventional way, this story is intriguing and beautiful in Dahl's carefully constructed descriptions.
11)NECK- 3/5.A man is a guest in a large mansion with some eccentric characters.The reader is kept wondering how much about the characters we really know.
12)THE SOUND MACHINE- 4/5The oddest by far of all the stories in this collection.A man creates a machine to hear high frequency sounds that are ordinarily out of human decibel range, including those made by nature.
13)NUNC DIMITTIS- 5/5.Personally my favorite story of this collection.A man is irked to find that a woman he had been dating said some unkindly things about him to his friends.He engages in an intricate plot for revenge. A delicious, lip-smacking ending!
14)THE GREAT AUTOMATIC GRAMMATISATOR- 5/5. A genius creates a machine that uses mathematical principles to create an automatic story generating machine. Dahl reveals a little of his own experience and point of view in this one.Very intriguing and expertly written.
15)CLAUD'S DOG: The Ratcatcher- 4/5. A ratcatcher shows a customer his methods of catching the rats, and a skin crawling outcome of a bet.
16)CLAUD'S DOG: Rummins-2/5. Bails of hay, a farmer, rats, a dog, and a mystery ending.Overall failed to captivate.
17)CLAUD'S DOG: Mr. Hoddy- 4/5. A man attempts to impress (much to her dismay), his girlfriend's father with a unique business plan.
18)CLAUD'S DOG: Mr. Feasley- 3/5.The longest of all the stories in this collection, but not the best.Many descriptions of animal abuse in dog racing.A competition, a trick, and a lesson.

Well worth the wait!
I read this book ten years ago on a trip to Spain (it was the only english book I could find at the place where I was staying). I forgot to write down the author or the title before leaving, and it killed me when I got home and I remembered all these wonderful stories almost word for word, but couldn't for the life of me find the book.

Well, after ten years of casually searching I finaly decided to buckle down, do some hard research (should say something about the book that it stayed in my head for ten years), and I ended up finding it. Who would've thought, classic children's story author Roald Dahl was capable of writing such twisted, engaging stories as those contained in "Someone Like You?"

Anyway... I love it, and I'm so glad I finally have it. Hopefully you'll enjoy it too!

Stories with a twist
Roald Dahl is of Norwegian parentage but grew up in England and wrote extensively in English. Over the years he has published a number of collections of short stories, a genre in which he excels. Hisstories are not always macabre, but they invariably have a twist, makingthem unforgettable many years later.

Some of them, it is true, may haveyou writhing slightly, but even so, you will appreciate the intention, aswell as the finesse. There are so many good writers around, it's hard toget to them all, but it's worth finding "Someone Like You" for anumber of reasons. First of all, you might like Dahl, in which case you'llbe set for quite a while (as long as you can find his books). Secondly, heis a technical wizard (in one of his stories, concerning a wordsmith, hediscusses some of the aspects of the very wizardry he practices) and youshould have a look at that side of him. He should not be out of print - hedeserves better. There's no doubt in my mind that we'll be reading Dahl formany years to come, if we've got any sense. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Scrum-diddly-umptious!
For those of you who have loved Roald Dahl's children's books growing up, this is the perfect collection of "grown up bedtime stories" I've ever read. That same timing and dark sense of humor that we love from classice like "The Witches" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" come out full-force in this wonderful collection full of fantastic stories that can be read and enjoyed over and over for many sleepless nights to come. ... Read more

Product Description
This time-saving, easy-to-use teacher guide includes inspiring lesson plans which provide a comprehensive novel unit--the legwork is done for you! The guide incorporates essential reading, writing and thinking practice. (This is NOT the paperback novel.) ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in leading American magazines, these stories probe the inner workings of men facing the living nightmare of war every day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Different type of story for Dahl
My son had to do a report on this author. As a history buff he thought this book was excellent. Different type of stories for Roald Dahl but he enjoyed them.

Duplicate story!
Roald Dahl is a great author with a wonderfully wicked sense of humor and take on life.I have another collection of his short stories and was sad to discover this short little collection had one of the stories from my larger collection.The stories contained in this collection show a side of Dahl not always seen, a more serious side without the wicked twists that are always enjoyable in his stories.The collection is short, and left me wanting more written in this style that is somehow different, yet still has Dahl's voice.

Who wants to be a fighter pilot after reading this?
Roald Dahl is mostly known for his short stories and childrens' books, both often funny with a strange twist. ¨Over to You¨ contains 10 fictional stories that all have something to do with flying. For those who have an idealistic view of the life of fighter pilots, it's an interesting read. Dahl, who himself was a fighter pilot during WWII, does a brilliant job describing the decisions and actions that a fighter pilot has to make, and that's not all fun. Dahl portrays his characters in a remarkable atmosphere and with a sense of tragedy that is truly impressive.

Over to You
Over to You is one of the few books I've read that have actually kept me truly in suspense. Each one of the ten stories were unlike eachother, yet still contained the great quality. The book's reality is increased with theknowledge that it was written by a man who participated in World War II.The ironic twist and unspected ending make it a great read. Take myword,"Buy this book!" ... Read more

Product Description
This title contains: "The Umbrella Man"; "Dip in the Pool"; "The Butler"; "The Hitchhiker"; "Mr Botibol"; "My Lady Love", "My Dove"; "The Way Up to Heaven"; "Parson's Pleasure"; "The Sound Machine"; and "The Wish". ... Read more

Product Description
Take a pinch of unease. Stir it into a large dollop of the macabre, add a generous helping of dark and stylish wit, garnish with the bizarre and what do you have? Roald Dahl at his brilliant, hypnotizing best, cooking up some of the most unusual stories ever told. Here in one volume are "Tales of the Unexpected and More Tales of the Unexpected", making this a superb compendium of vengeance, surprise and dark delight. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Dark and thought-provoking tales
Widely regarded as an author of children's books, the truth is that Welsh writer Roald Dahl shows himself in this collection as one of the best short story authors in the twentieth century. His acerbic, weird and sometimes cruel adult-oriented fictions are compellingly written and leave the reader guessing the conclusion of the story until the very end.

Dahl's narratives featured in this volume share one aspect in common, the use of the so-called "twisted ending", a technique first employed with very satisfactory results by Ambrose Bierce and then overused by a popular writer like O. Henry. These kind of surprise endings cause the reader to change his perception about the story he's just read, even encouraging him to read it again (one of the biggest accomplishments that a writer can achieve).

The story that opens the book ("Taste") is unarguably a masterpiece. The sinister undertone, the narrative pace, the suspense, the almost sickening attention to the details in the manners and gestures of the characters, makes it a very intense piece of fiction that will make you stand on your toes until you've finished it.

Other few good examples of Dahl's literary talent are "Lamb to the Slaughter", a cynical story about disappointment, murder and deceit, or "Man of the South", perhaps the most famous tale by Dahl (adapted to the screen more than once).

"Skin" is another great fiction about a man with the most valuable back available. I think that this tale in particular draws heavily from a story written by SAKI (Dahl loved his work and it's easy to see why) called "The Background" (in which a very similar character is described).

"Nunc Dimittis" tells us about the Machiavellian revenge of a man with hurted feelings against a woman who has dared to say he was `boring' and `predictable'. The story is superbly written and executed. The ending is one the best.

"Mrs. Bixley and the Colonel's Coat" ranks also as one of his most hilarious tales. It is an excellent comment on materialism and the hypocrisy with regard to marital infidelity. One of my favourites. "Parson's Pleasure" is another gem.

Dahl is not always equally successful with his stories, but as a whole, it is worth reading.Perhaps one of the last geniuses of the short story form. Very interesting. He's an antidote against so much bad prose out there...

Personally, I've never had read anything by this author before and this book has been a great introduction to his narrative. Terror, suspense, satire, fantasy, all these genres intermingle together in this anthology. I strongly recommend it. I'm looking forward for more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Two kings, two princesses, only one Mr Dahl
The first fable is about a physically ugly man who saves a beautiful princess from harm and who is granted the right by the king to take any woman in the kingdom he wishes. The wise king foresees the inevitable conclusion and true love's path...

The second fable is much more sinister involving another princess and king. This princess is also beautiful but incredibly vain and uses her beauty to her own ends. When she is given the chance of taking over the throne by poisoning her father, she takes the advice of a mysterious beggar who gives her the poison. But who is the beggar really...?

The legendary Roald Dahl puts together a very slim volume of two very short stories. If you've read Dahl before you'll know the verve with which he tells any story and the wicked sense of humour he possesses making for any story he writes worth reading. Two Fables is no exception and, though hard to find and quick to read, if you can find a copy then snap it up. It's great fun from a master storyteller.

"Too Feeble"
I'm a Dahl fan, but this odd little volume (published to commemorate the author's 70th birthday) has to be one of his least interesting works.The two parables, "The Princess and the Poacher" and "Princess Mammalia," are aimed at mature readers rather than children, but lack the wit and imagination usually found in Dahl's stories.A disappointment.Recommended for Dahl completists only.

One of the best books ever written
This book is one of my favourite books, not only by the late great Roald Dahl but ever.I did have a copy, but it has since disappeared; where, I have no idea.Anyone who loves the books of Roald Dahl should read this book, anyone who thinks that they can not be surprised by books anymore READ THIS...Every bookshop I visit I say 'Do you have a copy of Two Fables'.Amazon is the first one, which has answered yes...Just a review from Down Under, I hope that I win the prize of free books, because I really want to get this book and a million others. Thanks, I will include my email address to see if anyone else loves Roald Dahl, just like me. ... Read more

Product Description
A new edition of this hugely popular story of James and his journey to New York with the strangest group of insect friends. Great new Quentin Blake cover and new author biography. ... Read more

Product Description
Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life is a collection of seven hilariously creepy Roald Dahl stories published in various magazines and collections in the '40s and '50s, and gathered here for the first time. With the classic Dahl mixture of charm and charmingly perverse, these stories remind us that the mystery of life isn't always as sweet as it seems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Droll stories from a master
This is a collection of stories Dahl wrote in the late 1940s to early 1950s, and all but the title story were previously issued in his early collections "Someone Like You" (1953) and "Kiss Kiss" (1959).The seven stories here all deal with the same group of characters: Gordon (the narrator) who runs a filling station, his partner Claud, their bizarre neighbor Rummins, and a few others.The action takes place in rural England, not too far from the London area.Many of the tales deal with the characters' attempts to "pull a fast one" or get away with some dishonest (but usually relatively harmless) behavior.They are often quite ingenious in their efforts, Dahl's dry and dark sense of humor is well in evidence, and the stories are all very enjoyable.My favorites are "The Ratcatcher" with its creepy and macabre flavor, and "The Champion of the World" which has an hilarious, almost slapstick ending.This edition is much enhanced by the drawings of John Lawrence, who captures the spirit of the prose and characters well.I have been a fan of Dahl for many years, and I think this book will be great fun for newcomers to the "adult" work of this superb writer.But I really feel that the original publications of "Someone Like You" and "Kiss Kiss" are the best.Republications of these, rather than numerous reshufflings and reprintings of the same stories, is highly desirable.The original cover art on the old Dell paperback editions is very imaginative too.

ah, sweet book!
This is a great book. If you loved Roald Dahl's "marvelous" and "delightful" way of telling stories, this is a must read. The stories in here are more grownup but if you still have an itching for Roald-Dahl-ite irony, then these stories are good. The irony that was present in "The BFG" or "Fantastic Mr. Fox" or "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is still here, but it's mixed with sickening and grotesque stories about ratcatching, maggot breeding, and poaching.

If you like this book, I highly recommend buying "The Best of Roald Dahl" because it has, besides the entire book "Ah Sweet Mystery...," 24 extra short stories including "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," "Lamb to the Slaughter" (one of his more famous pieces which was also made into an Alfred Hitchcock episode), and "The Bookseller" which first appeared in Playboy magazine.

Good book but nothing great.
While nowhere near as good as his childrens' books Roald Dahl still shows great wit and his affinity for weirdness in this book.

A bridge between his stories for children and adults
Preface:I love almost everything by Dahl.

This collection is a nice bridge between his stories for children, and his stories for adults.For example, in his story "The Ratcatcher", Dahl's use of language and detail is more similar to his children's stories.However, the story is more grown-up, and told at a pace more similar to the stories in, say, _Switch, Bitch_.

It is an enjoyable collection.More consistently strong than his _Tales of the Unexpected_, some of which are quite weak. ... Read more

Product Description
Roald Dahl fans will rejoice at the opportunity to bring their favorite books and characters to life. Five of Dahl's hugely popular, beloved books have been adapted into winning plays for children. With useful tips on staging, props, and costumes, these plays can be produced with a minimum amount of resources and experience.Teachers, parents, and children everywhere will recognize Quentin Blake's appealing classic cover art and will find these easy-to-perform plays to be a great source of entertainment! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The twits
Have you ever meet a mean and ugly person?If you didn't then read The Twits because I will know that you will like it because I liked it a lot too.It is a very interesting book. It is about Mr. and Mrs. Twit playing jokes on each other but when they where young they where pretty and cool, but now they are ugly and really mean.They also have a family of monkeys in their lawn.Their rooms are really messy and ugly.Once you read the book of The Twits you will know more about them because I am not going to tell you what will happen in the story.The author of the book is Roald Dahl and the grade is 4.4 and it has 81 pages.
Mr. Twit is tall, really hairy, mean and ugly, and he whines a lot.Mrs. Twit is tall, has spiky teeth, mean and angry, and she likes to fight a lot like she hates people.When they where really young people they looked good and didn't look really ugly like how they are now.Now they look horrible and horrifying people.When the twit wanted to be in a circus they wanted to show the monkeys juggling and sitting upside down So that's when Mr. Twit got the monkeys and trained them at there house. The monkey gets tired and hungry because the Twits make them suffer a lot.When the birds fly to the trees they get stuck because the Twits put really really hard and strong glue.When the birds get stuck then the twits got them and cook them in the pie and eat them.They would make the monkeys sit upside down because Mr. Twit wanted to be a circus person and he didn't so he does it in his house.What will the monkeys do to the Twits for making them suffer?
My favorite character in the story is the monkeys. The monkeys are my favorite because they are funny and really smart, but they can't help the birds by telling them not to sit on the branch because those monkeys are from Africa and they can't speak any English.They are filled with excitement and are happy characters.
My favorite part of the book is when the Twits turn upside down and their heads gets stuck on the floor and they stay like that for about three or more days and they shrink.I think the kids who have never seen two bad and ugly people should read this book and it will tell them how bad they are.When I first read the book it made me laugh and shout because it was so funny.
I really loved the book The Twits because it is funny, sad, and it makes you laugh.I recommend The Twits to you because it is a funny book and an easy book for you to read and have fun with.

A fantastic classroom resource!
The title says it all really.
A fantastic set of short manageable plays with good explanations at the beginning. I've ordered a class set through the school for my classes. ... Read more

Product Description
Roald Dahl fans will rejoice at the opportunity to bring theirfavorite books and characters to life. Five of Dahl’s hugely popular,beloved books have been adapted into winning plays for children.With useful tips on staging, props, and costumes, these plays canbe produced with a minimum amount of resources and experience.Teachers, parents, and children everywhere will recognize QuentinBlake’s appealing classic cover art and will find theseeasy-to-perform plays to be a great source of entertainment! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
Deliciously madcap mayhem and out-of-this-world fantasy--this is what you'll find within the casing of this boxed set of two of Roald Dahl's most brilliant creations: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

For decades, delighted readers of all ages have explored Willy Wonka's fabulous chocolate factory, met the Oompa Loompas, and sampled the chocolate river along with Augustus Gloop. And later, they have zoomed off into the stratosphere in the most remarkable elevator ever created. Now, a new generation of readers barely needs to pause between the first and the second of Roald Dahl's masterful volumes. Hardcover editions of each title, illustrated of course by the incomparable Quentin Blake, are tucked in a handy cardboard sleeve, ready for the next set of hungry eyes. Sadly, the convenience of the set is counterbalanced by the poor quality of the paper used for the books. Classics like these deserve thick, creamy, opaque pages; not the flimsy, rough, semitransparent sheets used here. (Ages 7 and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Great stories, overpriced set
These books are a delight.It's not clear, however, why one would invest in such an expensive set.For one, there are thousands of used copies available, and the new books (purchased separately) are cheaper than the set.Finally, it's not necessary to read both books, particularly since the Chocolate Factory is superior to its sequel.

On that note, the first book is a delightful read--an extravagant and fun-filled adventure through the world's largest and most remarkable chocolate factory.Willy Wonka is a brilliant creation, and the characters of the novel explode with their quirks and curiosities. The novel is a masterful commentary on contemporary archetypes and a society over-obsessed with wealth and power.One for the ages.

Sadly, the sequel is more of a rambling, plotless thing.It offers more fun characters and more lampooning of our mad world (American militarism gets especially spoofed).But the ramblingness of the tale left me a bit exasperated.Read both, but lower your expectations for the sequel, and buy them elsewhere on Amazon.

Really nice set.
We haven't broken them open yet (Christmas gift) but they are a beautiful set, nicely done.

Would be better if I hadn't seen the movie first!
I bought this book the other day at a outlet store for only two dollars. I'm alreday on chapter 17. I like the book, and the way the author writes, but it would be MUCH better if I hadn't seen the movie first.
The old, old movie from the 70's is very different form the book. the NEW movie (which I thought was really good!) is a LOT like the book.
I agree with a few revwiers that the illustrations aren't the best. they're good, and funny, and cute...but they need to sculpt teh charcters a little more.
Besides all that, this is a pretty good book.

charile and the choclate factory
the plot took place on this huge place were they make the wonka bar.And the mr.wonka like to invent thing made out of choclate and oher stuff.Mr.wonka let five people to his factory so he signs on the light post.then on the morning people read the paper it said five people are alowed to his factory and who ever finds five golden tickets are going to his factory.Then people are finding the golden ticket then charlie wanted to go but his family are poor.On chalies bithday hr recived a ghoclate bar from his mom and dad.Then his gandpa was exicted that he might find it.but he didn't find it.one day he was walking around charlie found something green charlie said it looks like a bill so piked it up and it was a one dollar bill.So he went to the store and bought the last choclate bar in the store and chaile opened the bar and saw the golden bar.He ran to his house and said i found the golden ticket!his grandpa was excited that he found the golden ticket he was jumping all around.And charlie said that you are not going.Then the next day he thought of it so he said he could go.then it was time.they were walking all around then the chubby kid fell down the choclate river.they were helping he to get out the choclate river the big tube sucked him up.then they left to another room they were trying out candy so the mean girl got some gum and she turn fat and blue.After that went to a room that could turn things big or small.they put a bar put it in the middle they turn it big.they turn the little vilonte boy so small they tried to make him in the wright size but they couln't one by one are living .the only ones that are left is the little girl and charlie.next they went to see the squirles and the little gilr wanted one but sge couldent get one and the dad said can i buy one for my daughter and wonka said no thelittle girl was holdind one it was runing around she chase it she fell down.and the dad went to get her and he fell down to.charlie was the last one.so wonka took them home with him.

Love the story but strongly dislike the illustrations
Let me just start off by saying that I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. After seeing the movie version with Gene Wilder, I had to read the book, so I rented the ORGINIAL edition from my library and fell in love with it. Then I rented the sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator and enjoyed it just as much.
My only complaint with this edition is the illustrations by Quentin Blake. Let me just be bluntly honest: they are horrible! They look as if a five year old drew them! I don't like the way any of the characters look, especially Willy Wonka. In Blake's illustrations they all look just poor, mediocre, stupid and dopey. They don't add to the book or enhance your visualization of the characters but detract from it. I don't expect Alan Lee-like drawings, just something a bit more better drawn and closer to the characters in the book.
The critic on Amazon calls the illustrator "the incomparable Blake." I'd like to choke when I read that. Incomparable? Yeah right. Just compare this one with the ORIGINAL illustrations by Joseph Schindelman and you'll see that Blake is definitely a big step down in quality. Joseph Schindelman, to me, really captured the goodness and innonence of Charlie and the delightfulness and lovablness of Willy Wonka in his illustrations, and more importantly, they match Roald Dahl's descriptions well. They look more like people and more like you imagined them to look like. When I think of Willy Wonka and Charlie, my mind goes back to the illustrations of Joseph Schindelman; there just better done and more like characters. They are much more charming than the stick figure we have with long nose and bug eyes in Blake's Wonka.
And this guy is a teacher? It looks to me like he needs to be taught a few art lessons. I bought this edition only because I love the story so much and had to have a copy, but now I'm really hoping to get the original edition with Joseph Schindelman as the illustrator.
Last word: somebody needs to fire this guy Blake. He's ruining Road Dahl's books! ... Read more

Product Description
Everybody knows that Roald Dahl wrote brilliant books for children and created a fantastic chocolate factory. But did you know that Roald was a fighter pilot, and a spy in the Second World War? Everything you ever wanted to know about the man with the chocolate factory. ... Read more

Product Description
No child grows up without getting to know Roald Dahl's mischievous and memorable cast of characters along the way--and every adult cherishes the memory. Featuring a different book from the legendary author's library for every month, and illustrated with the original and inimitable drawings of Quentin Blake, the Roald Dahl 2011 Wall Calendar introduces us once again to Charlie, Matilda, Danny, the BFG, and many more of the characters that have shaped imaginations for generations.

Features cover and interior illustrations from 12 of Roald Dahl's most celebrated children's stories, from Revolting Rhymes to James and the Giant Peach. ... Read more

Product Description
These five short stories offer a selection of Dahl's adult writing. "Parson's Pleasure" is a country tale, "A Piece of Cake", a wartime reminiscence, "Lamb to the Slaughter" a story of vengeful murder, and the remaining two, set in London, are on favourite themes of greed and snobbery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Five twisty tales
The title story in this collection of five is fairly well-known, as it is often anthologized. It's the one about the wife who bashes her husband over the head with a frozen leg of lamb, and then feeds the murder weapon to the police investigating the crime!

"Parson's Pleasure" and "The Bookseller" have similar themes. In each, someone is taking advantage of others' ignorance or weakness to trick them for financial gain, but is in the end hoist by his own petard. "The Butler" also involves trickery and deceit, but here a pretentious nouveau riche is caught by his butler and cook.

But the very best of these stories is Dahl's first published work, based on his wartime experiences. "A Piece of Cake" is a hallucinatory story of a pilot who crash lands in the desert between the Italian and English lines. Extraordinary writing: "I knew that the hotness was unpleasant, but that was all I knew. I disliked it, so I curled my legs up under the seat and waited. I think there was something wrong with the telegraph system between the body and the brain. It did not seem to be working very well. Somehow it was a bit slow in telling the brain all about it and in asking for instructions. But I believe a message eventually got through, saying, 'Down here there is a great hotness. What shall we do? (Signed) Left Leg and Right Leg.' For a long time there was no reply. The brain was figuring it out." ... Read more